We might think “why would the Lord find it necessary to give such a command?” How could a mother not love her very own children? Many young women want a “sweet little baby” in the same way that, as little girls, they wanted a new doll. Little new babies are indeed precious and loveable. We expect nothing from them. They are so helpless and depend on us for their every need. But these “sweet little babies” grow very fast and in a short time. They begin to think for themselves and want their own way. Like the honeymoon, that time quickly passes and we are back to everyday life.

Life is never the same after children come to the home.  A wise and mature mother will train her child to be obedient. She will be an example of pleasantness and kindness for the child to imitate. Such a child will bring joy and happiness to the home. However, the spoiled and undisciplined child will make life miserable for all around him. The mother of such a child will want others to keep the child; she may want to find a job and leave the home; some may even give the child away to others. She has raised her child to be unlovable and looses her own natural love for him.  Who is to be blamed  for this? Is it the unloved child?

Prov says:

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Loving your children includes providing for their care and necessities but it is much more than that. It includes the daily and hourly “molding” of his character. It is teaching him to be a loving, beneficial member of society; one that will make the world a better place for having lived in it. You will help him to grow into a man who will bring honor to his parents as well as to the God who created him.

If you really love your children you will not only take care of their physical needs but recognize their even greater spiritual needs. Not to bring them up in the nurture of the Lord, will be to contribute to their eternal damnation.

There is also a very simplistic way for you to love your children. Its really very basic and easily understood; but it will be one of the greatest blessings you can give to them.

LOVE THEIR DADDY !!!

This is another character trait mentioned after the instructions concerning husbands and children (We will study these in other articles). Our word “good” is used rather “lightly” in modern conversation. As I checked the original meaning in the Greek language, I was pleased to see that it includes some traits that I feel are very much needed in the life of a young “godly” woman.

Vines defines it as being “beneficial” in its effect. Strongs gives it even more meanings. He uses the adjectives: useful, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, excellent, distinguished, upright and honorable. What wonderful traits to strive for.

Prov. 17: 22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

What advantages are there for a young woman, especially a young wife and mother, in having these traits? I advised my sons to date and marry a Christian girl. That was all that really mattered, I thought. But, now I usually add some more qualities to look for.

Prov. 31:10

The King’s mother advised him: An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

You may marry someone who is morally clean and a Christian; but you could still have an unhappy home. If your spouse is always negative and disagreeable, this will affect your life and the personalities of your children. A young woman who has these undesirable traits could have a bad influence on her children. They may judge “being a Christian” with the way their mother acts and thinks. As they mature, they may want no part in Christianity. Or her unpleasantness may hinder her husbands work as an elder or as a preacher in a local congregation. It most certainly could hinder his opportunities to save the lost.
Prov. 21:19

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

The key to a happy home is, many times, dependant on the disposition of the wife and mother. If she can be pleasant and happy even when everything goes wrong, what a blessing she will be to her family. Her faith and trust in the Lord will be a wonderful example to her children and a great encouragement to her husband.

1 Cor 13:4

Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

A young woman who follows in the foot steps of Jesus will be unselfish; not complaining about daily chores as wife and mother but consider them as opportunities of service, both to her family and to the Lord. She will strive to be kind and pleasant; thus making the difficult times more bearable. She will be the “helper” she was created to be and understand the true value of the role God has given her.

Mt. 23:12

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Not only in the role of “wife and mother” should a young women be “kind and good”. Her most important role and relationship in life is the one as a “child of God”. Earthly relationship endure only in this life. However, our relationship to our God will be for all eternity. Our lives must bring Him honor as we “go about doing good”. A christian woman has many opportunities for “acts of kindness”.

Prov. 31:26

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

No matter what the situation, there is “never” any excuse for unkindness. It solves nothing and only adds to the problem. The scriptures teach us that all evil and sin begin in the heart. Instead of working to control our tempers or the words we speak, we should work on the “things we think”. If our hearts are right with God, all will be well with our souls.

Prov 15: 26

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

When our lives are over, may it be said of us that “the world is a better place because we lived”.

Everyone is under submission to someone. Every nation has a leader, whether it be a King or President. Every army has Majors, Generals, etc. Companies have their CEOs. No organization, institution or government can run smoothly without someone who has the final say.  Without a leader there would be anarchy. Why should it seem “unfair” that God has ordained a “Leader” for the home?

Col. 3:18

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own
husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

The man was first created and the woman was later created as a helper for him. The very nature of their physical makeup would indicate that the man should be the one chosen as leader. Her role of childbearing itself could naturally keep her from the duties of leadership at times. Women are also more emotional and less aggressive which help her in her role as homemaker but would hinder her as the decision maker. God created both male and female with their distinctive assets.

Gen. 3: 16

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou
shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

As women, we should be thankful for God’s wonderful arrangement. Our husbands are to love us, to provide for us and protect us. Our homes shelter us from the “cruel, hard” world of business and industry. Our days are spent in the company of our precious children instead of “worldly” people.

With authority comes great responsibility. Our love for God and also our husbands should provoke us to encourage our husbands in accepting this responsibility. Many dominating women are the product of weak men. When men fail to accept responsibility for their homes and families, many women are forced to assume their role in the home. I believe this has also contributed to the increasing homosexual tendencies in our society.

Eph. 5: 22-24.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own
husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head
of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:
and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the
church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to
their own husbands in every thing.

Not only is the wife to obey her husband but she is to honor and respect him. In doing so, she will be a true helper as he assumes his God given rank in the home.

Eph 5:33

……. the wife see that she reverence her
husband.

1 Pet. 3:1-6

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Why would the Holy Spirit find it necessary for such a command? In the time and society in which we live, young  couples usually “fall in love” before they get married.

However, in biblical times this was not always the  custom. Parents arranged the marriage of their children.   It also may seem strange that the word translated here is “phileo” and not “agapao”.. It is the word for affection.  We sometimes say that Agape love can be commanded as it  is a love meaning to care for the well being of someone. But how can one control what he “feels” or make himself  ”have affection”?

In trying to help young people who say they are no longer “in love” with their mates, I show that “agape” love can be commanded and we are to have it; even for  our enemies. But as for “phileo” love, I believe it also  can be developed.  The scriptures say that “where our treasure is, there will be our heart also”. We have  all known “unlovable” people with whom we are forced to be around. When we put our time, efforts and money into providing for these people, we usually find ourselves developing a true affection for them. I  believe this, also, could be the solution to a relationship that has grown cold. Good will overcome evil and perhaps cause the “unlovable” to become loveable.

The Lord commands young women to love their husbands.  They are our companions in the closest of human relationships. They are the father of our children.  A husband, as God would have him, will be a provider  of our needs and our protector from harm. We share our  homes, our children, our lives and our very bodies with each other. In many ways, even our eternal destiny will be determined by how we accept our responsibilities  in this relationship.

1 Cor 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things,  hopes all things, endures all things.

Many young people are disillusioned after the  ”honeymoon” is over. Life gets back to daily living  and our “Prince Charming” turns out to be just a man.   We soon learn many things about him that we didn’t know. He has his faults and weaknesses just like we do.  So now what?

Marriage is a lot like having a baby. You see these beautiful little babies and want one for your very own.   When he gets here, it may not be at all like you thought. He may scream day and night; be a little “two year old” monster and never be the sweet, loveable doll that we expected. Do you give him back? No. You do what you can to change him (and you can do a lot) and then……You love him anyway!  That’s exactly what you do with a husband. When a man and a woman establish a home, love  is a necessary ingredient. Children brought up in a home without love are certainly deprived.

Gal 5: 22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

God’s commandments are not grievous. They are for our benefit and who knows better than God, what will make us happy. Obey this command as well as all of them and  you will be happy. He will give you many blessings in this life and eternal life when this one is over. After  all,

1 Peter 3:7 says: …we are heirs together of
the grace of life.

Strong defines this word as one who cares for the house; taking care of household affairs; a domestic. Vines includes the idea of “watching”.

Why do you think it to be necessary for someone to be appointed to this task? What is a home to society? Is it not the place where the children are? The place where the man who “works by the sweat of his brow” returns to at the end of his daily labors. All of his earthly possessions are usually there. It’s the one place where he is safe and he can rest from his labors. Where he and his family can be separate from the world and enjoy the closeness of a family.

The home is the foundation of all human society. It’s   the place where couples can be alone to love and enjoy one another. It’s the place where children are cared for and trained. It’s a haven of rest from weariness and harm. The term itself brings warmth to the human heart.

The home-keeper is just as necessary as the bread-earner. But in today’s society, women have decided to leave their homes and join the man to earn “more bread”. In doing so, the home, as God intended is fastly disappearing. Families have “houses” (many of them very impressive) but not “homes”. They sleep in their fine houses and perhaps entertain their friends on weekends but their children are cared for and trained by “strangers” in institutions called nurseries or day-care programs. Who molds their characters day by day and hour by hour? What examples of kindness and pleasantness do they see? Do they hear God’s name used
in respect or in vain? Wives are to help fathers to:
Eph 6:4

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to
wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The leaders of our country have seen the effects of our “motherless” homes. Perhaps they will someday decide to remove our children from our “houses” and put them in government “institutions” where “they” can train them not to be criminals? Is that what the liberated woman wants? Wake up, young women, and go back to the place God put you. Your rewards will soon be recognized as you see:

1. The divorce rate decrease
2. Jobless men can find work
3. Children get off drugs
4. Children stop committing crimes
5. All recognize difference between the sexes

Prov 14:1

Every wise woman buildeth her
house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

The curse of Adam and Eve fell on all people. God’s curse on man was that “He would work by the sweat of his brow to provide for his family”. The curse put on women was she would “bear children in pain and be subject to her husband”. The working woman has taken on herself both curses! How foolish of her and for what? In the process, she may loose her husband, her children and her eternal soul.

THE HOME

It is Now the World’s greatest need!

I call my years at Florida College as my years with the “beautiful people”. Young women are at the age of their greatest physical attractiveness. They also still have some “little girl” and “sweetness” in them. They are eager to learn about life and most want to be honorable and pure.

1 Pet 3:3-4

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of  putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Although the young woman doesn’t have the strong sexual needs as a young man, she does have a desire almost as strong. She dreams of romance and has a great desire for affection and the need to feel important and special. If she understands these differences in the sexes, she will be better prepared to face the temptations she will encounter.

The word “chaste” signifies: pure from carnality, morally clean, modest. Most young women (especially those who are Christians) desire to remain pure and keep themselves that way for their husbands to be. They never intentionally or plan ahead to commit fornication.

Prov 31: 30

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

At Florida College we had rules against students going to the apartments of “single” young people. Couples were not allowed to be together in private situations. How often I would hear the complaint: “Don’t you trust me, Mrs. G?” Most of the young ladies were very fine Christian girls with the highest of principles.  I hastened to explain that it wasn’t a matter of trust but one of wisdom.

Prov 2: 10-11

When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.

We were afraid they wouldn’t have the wisdom to stay out of tempting situations. They may not see the danger that they may put themselves in. Everyone (even the finest Christian) will sin if the temptation is great enough. The armor against sin is having the wisdom to stay out of the temptation.

Jas 1: 14

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

We hear many lessons against adultery and this is as it should be. This is not only a sin against God but it is an immoral act that can destroy the marriage and the home. Most young unmarried women are not tempted with adultery as often as they are with fornication. Although it is not “unfaithfulness” against a spouse, it is unfaithfulness against God. It cheapens a bond that God intends only for the state of matrimony. In doing so, you defile both your body and your soul. Young people in our society think nothing of this, but the Godly young woman will take the greatest precautions not to fall into such temptation.

Heb 13:4

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

The command to be pure also includes the state of our hearts and our minds. The Christian woman who is pure in heart, will also be modest in her dress and behavior. These qualities will be obvious to all and she will surely become the wife of a proud man. He will always trust her and she will bring nothing but honor to his name. He, too, will surely rise up and call her blessed.

Happiness comes from the word “hap”, as do the words happenstance, etc. In other words, what we call happiness is determined by what happens to us. As most of the time we cannot control what happens to us, perhaps what we really should be seeking is joy.

Joy is an inward peace and contentment. It can be ours no matter what happens to us. No one can take it away from us and yet, not all of us have found it. Have you ever wondered why rich men are so often miserable? They are never content with their riches and only strive for more.

On the other hand, many poor men are happy with what little they have. Why is this?

King Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived. In the second chapter of Ecc., he tells how he had heaped up for himself riches beyond description. After all was done, he came to the conclusion that all he had accumulated was but vanity. None of them had made him “happy”.

Jesus said in Luke 12:15 that a man’s life didn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possessed. Is it possible that man is looking for what he calls happiness In All Of The Wrong Places? God created man and only He can give happiness to us.

Ps 128:1 says

..happiness comes to the man who fears (reverences) God and walks in His ways.

Ecc.2:26 says

..God gives Joy to the man that is good in his sight. Are you good in his sight?

Do you reverence God and do you always walk in his ways? None of us can make this claim. However, the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ gives us hope. The sins we have committed can be forgiven us and we can start over again. We can become His child and know the happiness and joy that comes from God alone.

Peter told the very men that crucified the Son of God, that they must repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins. He goes on to say that this promise is for them and all who are afar off (Acts 2:38-41). That means you and me!

Jesus said:

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned– Mark 16:15-16:

Paul was told:

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16:

Peter, also tells:

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.–1 Peter 3:21

It isn’t the water that saves us, it’s the obedience (our good conscience).

Paul says:

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For (because-cg) as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. –Galatians 3:26-27:

When we become His child, we can call Him, “Father”. Religious people give many different answers to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” The only answer we can depend on is the one given by the Lord and His apostles.

God’s ways are not man’s ways:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.-Isaiah 55:8

Some men worship Him in vain:

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.– Matthew 15:9

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. –Matthew 7:21

How do we know what pleases our heavenly Father in worship? How do we know how He wants us to live our lives? He tells us these things in His word (the bible). If we follow it, we will be pleasing to Him. In doing so, God will give us the “gift of Joy”. He will also give to us peace:

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. He will hear our prayers and cause all things to work out for our good.–Philippians 4:7

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. –Romans 8:28

Just think, you can have all this now and Heaven in the
after-while. Won’t you share with me my “greatest joy”?

–I meet so many good people that believe in God and Jesus Christ, but whose religious practices and beliefs are so different from mine. Do I believe that these wonderful people are lost?
–Just the very thought of that brings me to my knees. Only God will judge us all and certainly not one weak and sinful person such as I.
–However, I do have an obligation to teach God’s word to all who will hear. I have no wisdom of my own nor understanding greater than others, and I know that there are some things in scripture that are hard to understand (2 Pet 3:16). However, the subject I would like to write about in this short lesson is not hard to understand.

Just before Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection, He gave a commandment to His apostles:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.– Matthew 28:19-20

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15-16.

On the Day of Pentecost, we find the apostles doing exactly what the Lord had commanded. After preaching the first gospel sermon Peter was asked what they should do:

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls Acts 2:38-41

Later we find Phillip preaching “Jesus” to the Ethiopian Eunuch.  And as they went on {their} way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, {here is} water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? …And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.- Acts 8:36,38

Next, Peter was preaching “words by which you can be saved” to Cornelious:  “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”– Acts 10:47

Notice the other conversions in the book of the Acts of the Apostles:                                                                                                  

–But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.– Acts 8:12
–Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.– Acts 8:13
–Note what the Gentiles were commanded to do:
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.– Acts 10:48
–And the case of Lydia in Phillipi:
And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought {us}, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide {there}. And she constrained us.– Acts 16:15
–And the Phillipian Jailer:
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed {their} stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.– Acts 16:33
–The Corinthians:
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. –Acts 18:8
–The 12 men in Ephesus:
When they heard {this}, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.– Acts 19:5

WHAT BAPTISM DOES:

–Baptism washes away our sins
And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.– Acts 22:16
–Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins–Acts 2:38
Puts us “into” Christ.
–Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?– Romans 6:3
–For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.– Galatians 3:27
Adds us to His body
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.. –1Cor 12:13 (His body is His church, see below)
..gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body..-Eph 1:21
He is Savior of body
Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. –Eph 5:23
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: –Eph 1:3
If we are saved without baptism, we are saved:
–while still in our sins
–outside of Christ where all spiritual blessings are
–outside of His body who He is the savior of
–outside of the Church for which He died.
Dear Friend, have you ever really studied what the bible says about baptism? I haven’t emphasized the subject of belief and repentance in these scriptures because they are accepted as necessary conditions by most believers. However, Baptism is the one command most religious people do not believe is necessary for salvation.

We, as human beings can not see how water can save anyone. But it is not the water that saves us. It is the obedience.

Remember the story of Naaman, the Leper quoted below? He, also, couldn’t see how water could cure his leprosy. But only after he obeyed the words of the prophet of God was he cured:

” Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.”– 2 Kings 5:11

“My father, {if} the prophet had bid thee {do some} great thing, wouldest thou not have done {it}? How much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?”– 2 Kings 5:13
After he obeyed the prophet of God, he was healed. The Pharisees and lawyers refused to be baptized as John commanded and this amounted to” rejecting the counsel of God.” Luke 7:30

The Jews could not be saved by the works of the Law (of Moses):
–Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.. Galatians 2:16
We cannot be saved by “Faith only”:
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone….Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? …Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. — James 2:17-24
Faith itself is a work of God and so is obedience.

Jesus answered and said unto them:
This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. –John 6:29
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; –Hebrews 5:9
God has provided for man’s salvation:
–For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. –John 3:16
However, all of the world will not be saved. Man must respond to God’s love by obeying him:
–And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?– Luke 6:46
–If ye love me, keep my commandments.– John 14:15
He commands us to:
Believe: I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins– John 8:24.
Repent: I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.– Luke 13:3
Confess: Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.– Matthew 10:32
Be Baptized: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.– Mark 16:16
Remain Faithful: .. be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.– Revelation 2:10

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.– 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
LOVE ENEMIES
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you –Matthew 5:44
CONSEQUENSES
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. –Rom 8:28
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. –1 Cor 2:9
If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. –1 Cor 16:22
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? –1 Jn 4:20
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. –1 Jn 2:15-17
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.– John 13:34-35
THE GREATEST ACT OF LOVE
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. –John 3:16
THE SOLUTION TO ALL EVIL:
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.– Rom 13:10
Definition:
Agape (ah-gah×pay), the principal Greek word used for ‘love’ in the NT. Of the three words for love in the Hellenistic world, it was the least common. The other two words were eros, which meant sexual love, and philos, which meant friendship, although their meanings could vary according to the context in which they appeared. Agape, because it was used so seldom and was so unspecific in meaning, could be used in the NT to designate the unmerited love God shows to humankind in sending his son as suffering redeemer. When used of human love, it means selfless and self-giving love.
As the bible dictionary above shows: The word God uses when he commands love is “agape”. This word does not mean what our english word for love means. It means to care about their wellfare; to do what is best for them. This we can give to all men as God commands us.

To Love the Loveable is Human
TO LOVE THE UNLOVEABLE IS DIVINE !!

Is a Christian just a good moral person that believes in God and Jesus and perhaps someone that goes to church? The word is used very lightly by most people but let’s see what a Christian is according to the scriptures.

In Acts 11:26, the word is first used.
“..The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
As this was a name given to the disciples, we next ask, “Just who is a disciple?” The Greek word means a learner, pupil, disciple or a Christian, a follower of Christ. (according to Strong’s Lexicon).

In Matthew 28:19 (just before Jesus ascended up into heaven) He told His disciples :
“Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:.”
In the parallel account it says: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”-Mark:16:15-16.
A disciple was made when he had heard the gospel, believed it and was baptized. Shortly after Jesus spoke these words, the Apostles preached the gospel on the day of Pentecost to men from every nation under heaven. Those that believed their message asked:

“Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ Acts 2:37-38.
Verse 42 goes on to say:
“They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.”
Then in verse 47:
“And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
But what of the good people who haven’t obeyed the gospel?
1 Peter 4:17 says:
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that “obey not the gospel” of God?”
The Apostle Paul said in Romans 3:23:
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God..”
Sin separates man from God and the only solution to this is baptism for the remission of those sins (see Acts 2:38 above)

The scriptures tell us of a good man that was lost.
“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.” –Acts 10:1-2
We see that he needed to hear words in order to be saved:
“…who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.”–Acts 11:14
“Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Acts 10:47-48
“I BELIEVE IN GOD AND THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD”, you may say,. Doesn’t that make me a Christian? Hear Jesus’ words:
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in thy name? and in thy name have cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Iniquity comes from a word meaning “lawlessness”=one who doesn’t obey God’s laws.cg) –Matthew 7:22-23:
James also says:
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”–James 2:19
“I GO TO CHURCH AND WORSHIP GOD”, you may say. Jesus says:
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…… And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”– Mark 7:7-9
MANY WORSHIP GOD THE WAY THAT PLEASES THEM. Paul says:
“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God”.– Romans 10:3
WE SEE THEIR SAD END:
“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that “obey not the gospel” of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”2 Thess 1:8-9:
ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?
..or will you hear the Lord say: “why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”- Luke 6:46
The New Testament tells us what First Century Disciples of Christ were told to do to “be saved.”

What made a Christian in New Testament Times will make a Christian in our times. God told them how to worship Him and live their lives. That same message is for us who live today.

…for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.–Acts 2:39
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. –Matthew 28:19-20